Nevada County picayune., 1887-11-02
AN ODD MISTAKE.
Bf MRS, F. BURKE COLLINS.

Miss Ethel Tlurstou.-Your mother is very ill. Come at once, Dr. Thorpe will meet you at the train"
 MARION THORPE.
 sat staring at the telegram in my hands short and terse as such messages usually are; my brain a whlrl, my heart ful; of grief and terror. Mother was all that I had upon earth to love and care for. and my fathers death had left us alone and poor. 1 was employed as typewriter in a large conner cial house, and earned our daily bread and little to spare.
 So when poor mothers health began to fail, and that tired, pa tient look deepened in her eyes, and her face was. always pale and thoughtful, l Was enabled, through my lite savings, to propose a trip for the benefit of her health.
 How proud 1 was that morning when placed a little purse in her hand, and told her to choose some pleasant retreat away from the heat and hustle and din of the crowded city; somewhere among the mountains or upon the sea shore-any place that would not take her too far from me. At first she tlatIy refused to leave me alone.
 'I cannot consent to go Ethel,' she said. "I must not leave you alone in this great city, and you compelled to earn our daily bread. l could not have the heart to leave you hard at work while 1 idled away my time and
 But stopped all theso objec- tions with a tender kiss.
 Mamma, you ha, better gO," l said seriously. "I insist upon it. And, dear, if you take no care of your health, we may be forced to part-a long, long parting man. ma"
 She sat buried in thought for a time: then she kissed me tenderly, and could see that there were tears in her soft eyes. But the matter was settled; she would go 10 the mountains, few hours journey upon the railroad, where some old friends lived.
 pr. Thorpe and his good wife would gladly welcome her, and she would have the best of care. So she had gone; three weeks had rolled by very slowly, for l missed her so, and then this clear Sep tember morning, all unexpected, this telegram smote down on me like d blow.
 I was all alone in the office, it happened. when the telegram ar rived. bowed my head upon the desk before me, and gave way to bitter grief. Could l live without my mother? was not like other girls. l had no lover, few friends. The lonely future stretched out before me was appalling. For d time l wept and sobbed bitterly; then 1 was recalled to duty by the entrance of Mir. Renshawe, my eni- ployer. l laid the telegram in his hand, He glanced it over, and a look of compassion came into his kindly eyes.
 Dear! dearl How unfortunate!' he exclaimed. "You must go, Miss Ethel, of course, first train no delay. An, that is it. Tram leaves at noon precisely; 1t IS now ten. Go right home, Miss Ethel, and make your preparations. Stay. You had better write a re- ply to this telegram"
 I seized pencil and scribbled hastily:
 Shall start at noon. Meet me at train without fail. E. T."
 I decided to send the telegram to Dr. Thorpe himself; which, hay ing been done, hurried nome to the neat cottage where mother and I lived with a good old wO- man who kept the house home like for us; and there told my sad story, and hastily packed a trunk and small valise.
 was in readiness when the carriage which Mir. Renshawe kindly sent for me drove up; and in short rime l was on board the eastern train, and going as fast as